Golf 2 Go takes lessons off the course, to the masses
Golf 2 Go, Inc., a company started by David Bull, offers beginner and experienced golfers a more affordable “on-site” version of the costly golf lesson.
Bull - owner of Golf 2 Go, which he runs from his Syracuse home - says the idea for the business sprung mainly from the creation of this indoor ball allowing him to bring golf off the course and into business. This new golf ball is able to fly as well as a normal outdoor golf ball, but bounces off windows and walls, allowing it to be used inside.
Golf 2 Go, which has beer in business for about a year, is a portable company that comes to after-school facilities, youth programs, and corporations tc conduct indoor or outdoor instruction clinics, fundraisersand other golf related events.
“The idea is to bring golf lessons to where it is more convenient, [bringing] it to people who otherwise wouldn’t take the opportunity to learn golf,” Bull says. “It is much more convenient. People don’t have to travel to and from the golf course. All they have to do is sign up and show up after work or school.”
Currently, the business has only focused on putting on events in the Syracuse area, but Bull plans to branch out, covering events up to a couple hours away, including cities such as Rochester and Binghamton.
The professionals Golf 2 Go utilizes have already provided instruction to nearly 400 kids at youth activities and after-school programs. An instruction clinic can be set up at a park, school, or recreation facility and are conducted at no additional cost to the host facility.
Bull says the next step is to expand into the corporate market and to bring golf instruction to businesses at company-related events.
Because golf is becoming increasing more important in the business world, Golf 2 Go teaches a “Business Golf 101″ class that offers advice on how to use proper golf etiquette at a company function.
“There are a lot of people that know how to golf but don’t really know how to act in a business setting,” Bull says.
“It can be something simple like it is bad taste to change your shoes in the parking lot. It is perfectly fine when you are at a regular course, but when you are at a high-end one, it isn’t. You need to carry your shoes into the locker room. It’s just little things like that,” Bull adds, “it is to essentially give them better tools to go out with clients.”
Personal instruction usually costs between $15 and $20 an hour per person. There is no actual cost to the host company, it only needs to agree to have the Golf 2 Go staff visit and distribute its marketing materials. Any schedule that is convenient for the company can be arranged, whether it is every day for a week, or one hour a week for six weeks, Bull explains.
“It is reasonably priced,” Bull says. “I am trying to bring golf to the masses, to bring golf to a lot of people who haven’t taken the opportunity to learn and don’t want to have the hassle of traveling and making their own lessons. This doesn’t take the place of personal golf lessons, but it is a great introductory way to bring golf instruction to the general public.”
Bull opened Golf 2 Go, which cost around $30,000 to start up, about a yearago. He just recently left his sales job to pursue his startup business full time. With assistance from small-business loans, Bull was able to purchase about $25,000 worth of golf equipment and props and is hoping to gross between $20,000 and $30,000 in revenue in the upcoming year. Golf 2 Go recently joined the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce to help boost its profile.
Bull feels that his company will help boost business for the local golf industry. Once people get a taste of golf in an introductory lesson, they may continue to spend money at local golf courses, or eat at golf clubs, Bull says.